(KNSI) — On Wednesday, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz pitched his plan for stimulus checks to give back a portion of the state’s budget surplus to taxpayers.
The idea of using some of the projected $9 billion surplus for a gas tax holiday was floated during the legislative session, but it never materialized. Walz said that a gas tax holiday is not an effective aid for relief. A decision on a federal gas tax holiday is reportedly expected in the next few days. Together, a state and federal gas tax holiday would lower the cost of gas in Minnesota by .46 cents a gallon, but experts warn there’s nothing saying companies have to pass the savings on and they could just keep that extra profit for themselves.
Walz says direct payments are the best right now to help pay for rising costs for everyday things like groceries and gas. The checks would be $2,000 for families and $1,000 for single filers and would not be taxed.
Republicans are critical of the idea, calling the checks an election year gimmick. They were asking for permanent tax relief.
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